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e-Speaks || February 29, 2008
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100 Day Kit For Parents of Children Newly Diagnosed with Autism Now Available
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Autism Speaks' new 100 Day Kit, a personalized resource to assist families in getting through the critical time following an autism diagnosis, is now available online. Families can register for a kit with information specific to their child's age and city, or can access a general guide online. A member of Autism Speaks “Autism Response Team” will follow up with each family that requests a kit. Learn more about Autism Speaks Family Services team and access the 100 day kit
here.
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Toys"R"Us Kicks Off Fundraising Campaign
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This weekend, Toys“R”Us kicks off its second annual fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks. From March 2 through May 2, cash donations will be accepted at all Toys“R”Us stores across the country and online at www.Toysrus.com/AutismSpeaks. The nine-week campaign will be supported by an aggressive marketing program including in-store signage and advertising. Last year Toys“R”Us raised more than $1.1 million for Autism Speaks. Read more.
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Tampa Walk Now for Autism Shines Through the Rain
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Ten thousand walkers raised more than $175,000, despite the rainy skies, on February 23 at the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, Fla. More than 260 teams participated in the day's activities, representing a 46% increase over 2007.
Read more and watch video
here.
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Oscars Event in the Windy City Benefits Autism Speaks
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The third annual An Evening with the Stars celebrated the Oscars in style, at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, benefiting Autism Speaks. The event brought the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to the Windy City, hosting its own red carpet arrivals and pre-show interviews of the guests which played on the big screen inside the auditorium. The evening culminated with the viewing of the 80th Annual Academy Awards® telecast shown live on big screens inside the theater. Read more, view photos and video
here.
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Neurofeedback Training Elicits Behavioral Improvements in Individuals with ASD
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Several studies have found that mirror neuron activity in individuals with ASD differs from typically developing individuals. Autism Speaks grantee Jaime A. Pineda, Ph.D., and his colleagues at the University of California San Diego tested the hypotheses that a type of intervention known as neurofeedback training (NFT) can be used to normalize mirror neuron activity, and that such normalization will lead to improvements in behavior, especially in imitation. Results showed that after NFT, mirror neuron activity in children with ASD progressed towards normal. Additionally, the neurofeedback-trained children with ASD showed improvements in sustained attention and some general indices of behavior. Surprisingly, no improvement in imitation could be demonstrated after NFT, perhaps reflecting an early development and utilization of brain circuitry other than the mirror neuron system in individuals with ASD.
Read more.
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Press Lauds Chief Science Officer Geri Dawson
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Recently appointed Chief Science Officer Geri Dawson was featured this week in two publications: Science magazine and the Seattle Times. The publications emphasized the benefit of Dr. Dawson's expertise to Autism Speaks, and focused on the state of autism research and what science can offer parents of children with autism in the near-term.
Read more.
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Insurance Bill Introduced in Connecticut State Legislature
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Connecticut is the latest state to introduce legislation which will amend insurance statutes to include coverage for autism. Proposed by State Representative Brian O'Connor (D-Clinton, Killingworth, Westbrook), Chairman of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, HB-5696 requires all Connecticut healthcare policies to cover such therapies as habilitation care; psychiatric care; therapeutic care, such as speech and occupational therapy; Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and medications prescribed by a physician.
Read more.
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In Their Own Words: Finding Hope in "Sensory Overload Heaven"
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In our latest "In Their Own Words" essay, a mother tells how a family trip to Disney World ("sensory overload heaven") showed her that that if you're open to it, you'll find hope for your child's future in the most unlikely of places.
Read more.
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